Base-ball bat.



PATEB'ITED MAY 5, 1903.,

0. F. HELD. BASE BALL BAT.

APPLIOATIQN FILED SEPT. 8, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

UNTTED STATES Patented May "5, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

BAS E-BALL BAT.

SPECIFICATION formingpaxt of Letters Patent No. 727,359, dated May 5, 1903.

Application filed September 8,1902. Serial lie-122.491. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. HELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at 2917 North Grand avenue, in the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Base-Ball Bats; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in base-ball bats; and it consists in the novel arrangement, construction, and combination of parts, as will be more hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of this invention is to construct a base-ball bat with two longitudinal holes arranged near its periphery to provide means for hunting the ball when desired and also for lightening said bat.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bat with a part thereof in section, showing my invention. Fig. 2 is a view of the bat-handle, and Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section of a bat constructed of three pieces. Fig. 5 is ahorizontal cross-section of a bat constructed of four pieces.

In constructing a hat of my improved design I bore two longitudinal holes into the bat from the base and extend them to a depth covering the entire striking length, or such distance as may be desired. Plugs 5 are then placed in the holes, concealing them from View and also preventing anything from being inserted. The holes are arranged opposite each other at points eccentrically to the center of the bat, as will be observed, thus preventing the weakening of said bat.

The object in placing the holes in the bat is to lighten it, and the batsman by striking the ball on that side of the bat is enabled to drop the ball closer to him than he could should he strike it on the solid side. The holes are indicated on the handle by marks orindentations 6, which are arranged in alinement with said holes.

To bunt the ball, the person using the bat will observe the mark 6 and strike the ball at the point indicated by the arrow A, Fig. 3.

I may, if desired, construct the bats of several pieces, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the center pieces beingof hard material and the outer of soft.

Having fully described my invention what I claim is 1. A bat provided with a pair of oppositelyarranged longitudinal holes, said holes each being arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal center of the bat, substantially as de scribed.

2. A bat provided with one or more longitudinal holes each being arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal center of the bat, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES F. HELD.

Witnesses:

J. F. OBERWINDER, IGNATIOE WIEGREFFE. 

